Amethyst

 

Hardness: 7

Birthstone: February

Zodiac: Pisces and Aquarius

Element: Wind

Chakras: 6^th (third eye), 7^th (crown), 8^th and beyond (etheric)

Healing Properties: Spiritual awareness and Divine connection, aura cleansing/purification, protection, calming the mind, releasing bad habits

 

Amethysts are a member of the quartz family.  The color can range from light purple to dark purple and is created by the irradiation of iron and other naturally occurring trace elements.  The beautiful purple color can fade in direct sunlight, so avoiding direct sunlight is recommended.  Amethysts can be found around the world, including in North America, Europe, Bolivia, and Russia.  Amethyst is Greek for “not intoxicate” and was believed to protect the bearer from drunkenness.

 

Amethysts make a great addition to kitchens to help overcome stress eating.  They are also an excellent meditation tool to help spiritual and Divine connections, as well as to enhance spiritual protection.  Use amethyst tower points to help recharge your energy by holding the pointed end toward your body in the left hand while holding the pointed end away from your body in the right hand at the same time. 

 

To maximize the vibrational benefits of your crystal, it is essential to cleanse and recharge them occasionally.  There are multiple ways to cleanse a crystal, such as running under water for 1 minute (hard crystals only), smudging with sage, burying it in the Earth for 24 hours, placing it under moonlight overnight, or placing it on selenite for 6 hours.  After the crystal is cleansed, it is recommended to charge/program it with your intentions by meditation, prayer, or some form of visualization.  How you choose to charge it is up to you! Activating your crystal is a personal experience, so use whatever method you feel is best.